Plaka Beach

At the 200 meter elevation marker on the eastern edge of the Megalochori area, a 30-minute path begins that heads to the little church of the Virgin Mary, the thermal baths of Plaka, and the sea of the caldera. This path is one of the few places on the island where we can descend to the bottom edge of the caldera, at sea level. Each descent of the caldera is an impressive, unprecedented experience, but it is equally dangerous and is undertaken at your own risk. Special caution is required because of both the steep terrain and possible landslides. There is no real beach, but the experience of diving from the rocks and enjoying the wild landscape of the caldera from the sea, with a view of the volcano, Oia, and (behind you) the steep cliffs of the caldera, whose rocks reveal the geological history of thousands of years, is truly unique and captivating.